GORLÆUS, ABRAHAM, an eminent antiquary, was born at Antwerp, and gained a reputation by collecting medals and other antiques. He was chiefly fond of the rings and seals of the ancients, of which he published a prodigious number in 1601, under this title, Daestylitheca; five Annulorum Sigillarium, quorum apud priscos tam Græcos quam Romanos usus ex ferro, ære, argento, et auro, Promptuarium. This was the first part of the work: the second was entitled, Variarum Gemmarum, quibus antiquitas in signando uti solita sculpturæ. This work has undergone several editions, the best of which is that of Leyden, 1695: for it not only contains a vast number of cuts, but also a short explication of them by Gronovius. In 1680, he published a collection of medals: which, however, if we may believe the Scaligerana, it is not safe always to trust. Gorlæus pitched upon Delft for the place of his residence, and died there in 1609. His collections of antiques were sold by his heirs to the prince of Wales.